Thirteen of Bermuda’s top young sailors have been selected to represent the Island at this year’s IODA South American Championships being held in Niteroi, Brazil this month.

The event is the first International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) Championship of the year. This year sees 180 sailors from 18 countries competing in the waters off Clube Naval Charitas in Niteroi.

The championship historically draws top Optimist sailors from not only North and South America but also from several other top sailing countries around the globe such as Singapore and Greece.

According to Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association, this year’s team is comprised of a “young but hungry group of competent junior sailors who are looking to uphold Bermuda’s reputation as a competitive and successful junior sailing community.

“The regatta will not only test the skills of these young sailors but also the mental toughness of the group due to strong currents and light winds that plague that area.”

Representing Bermuda will be James Anfossi, Connor Astwood, Brian Bulhoes, Blake Burgess, Kyle Burgess, McKenzie Cooper, Kelsey Durham, Renee Greenslade, Georgia Lewis, Ryan Powell, Owen Siese, Christopher Sposato and Sam Stan.

The team will be accompanied by Bermuda’s national Optimist coach Pablo Weber as well as team leaders Lisa Siese and Sally Burgess.